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WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to the damage of small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye. It is the protein that makes dough elastic and gives bread its chewy texture. If a person with celiac disease eats something with gluten, their body can overreact to the protein and damage the villi (the small finger-like projections present in the small intestine). Therefore, with the damage in villi, the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from the food. Eventually, this leads to malnutrition as well as infertility, miss carriages, loss of bone density, etc.

In children, celiac disease can lead to malnutrition which thereby can affect the growth and development of the child.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE IN CHILDREN?

Symptoms of Celiac Disease vary from person to person. The signs and symptoms are different for children and adults. Also, in children, they vary depending on the age. Identifying celiac disease in children can be difficult because irritability is one of the most common symptoms in kids.

INFANTS OR TODDLERS

Infants have more obvious symptoms of Celiac Disease which can further lead to more problems in their body. The symptoms are :

Vomiting

Bloating

Irritability

Poor growth

Abdominal Distention

Diarrhoea with very foul stool

Celiac Disease in infants can lead to malnutrition eventually leading to poor growth.

SCHOOL CHILDREN

Symptoms of Celiac Disease in school children also vary from that of infants. They include:

Stomach aches

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Trouble gaining weight or weight loss

Abdominal Distention

OLDER CHILDREN AND TEENS

Symptoms in teens that can convince you to go for a test for Celiac Disease include:

Stunted growth

Weight loss

Delayed Puberty

Recurrent Headaches or Migraines

Chronic Fatigue

Itchy skin rash

Achy Pain

Anxiety or Depression

Pain attacks

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CELIAC DISEASE WITH MILD SYMPTOMS?

There are two ways to know the reason behind a child having Celiac Disease. The first way is to find the associated conditions for which the test for the disease can be recommended. The other is the signs that are not typical reasons or signs of Celiac Disease.

Associated Conditions

Family member with celiac disease

Type 1 diabetes

Thyroid disease

IgA deficiency

Juvenile Chronic Arthritis

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)

Williams syndrome

Turner syndrome

Signs that are not the typical signs of Celiac Disease

Iron deficiency anaemia

High levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT

Osteopenia (thin bones)

Dental enamel defects

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CELIAC DISEASE?

Untreated Celiac Disease can lead to many complications in children such as:

Delayed Puberty

Weight Loss

Malnutrition

Dental enamel defects

Anaemia

Arthritis

Eplipsey

HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE CELIAC DISEASE?

Diagnosis of the Celiac Disease depends on the causes and the symptoms of the disease. When you suspect the disease in the patient, you can go for the diagnosis which is done in a two-way screening process:

Blood test for immunoglobulin.Testing for antiendomysial antibody may also be considered.

If the test turns out to be positive, then the doctor recommends endoscopy and biopsy of the lining of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). And then we examine the further diagnosis.

After the diagnosis, the doctor further prescribes you with diets in order to treat this disease.

HOW IS CELIAC DISEASE TREATED?

There are no drugs available for treating Celiac Disease. Doctors will only suggest you for a Gluten-free diet. In addition to staying away from bread, cake, and other baked goods, you also need to avoid beer, pasta, cereals, toothpaste and other foods that contain gluten. Your doctor may also prescribe you some gluten-free vitamins and mineral supplements.

WHAT IS THE DIET TO AVOID CELIAC DISEASE?

Food that is suitable to stay away from this disease includes meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, rice, and potatoes without additives or seasonings do not contain gluten and are part of a well-balanced diet. You also can eat potato, rice, soy, amaranth, buckwheat, or bean flour instead of wheat flour. Identify gluten-free food to avoid celiac disease.

So are you also worried about your child’s growth? This disease can be the reason for your child’s loss of growth and development. Consult the best Paediatrician in the city-Dr. Ravi Malik, Radix Healthcare.